r half dozen brats
yester," dryly suggested Tim, as he threw down his trowel and strode
away to his cottage home close by, where a plentiful meal awaited him.
Certainly, when he met Mrs. Jarvis the next minute, she looked
sufficiently white and fagged to justify his suggestion.

"Mornin' to ye," he said, nodding and hurrying by.

But Tim's cottage lay in Mrs. Jarvis's homeward way, and as her lagging
footsteps passed the door, the buxom form of Tim's wife appeared.

"Come in, an' rist ye a spell, Mrs. Jarvis; ye look more fit for yer bed
nor to be draggin' about at all, at all."

"It's just what I am. I'm sure I don't know what's coming to me,"
exclaimed Mrs. Jarvis, as she dropped into a chair.

"Give her a dhrop uv tay, Peggy, an' she'll ravive a bit," said Tim.

"You're very kind, Tim. Why, this tea is real good, as good as what the
gentry drinks. I feel quite a different creature after it, I declare;"
and Mrs. Jarvis presently set down her empty cup with a surprised air.

"I can't think how you manage, Mrs. Maloney. Here's your husband earning
the same wages as mine, yet you can afford to live a sight better than
us; you're better dressed too, and what a fine place you've got; and
isn't that pig in the garden yours?"

Mrs. Jarvis's eyes had roamed from the bright, clean kitchen, through
the open window to the well-stocked garden, where, in a corner, stood a
sty, the occupant of which was rooting and grunting in the manner
peculiar to his kind.

"Indade, an' ye're rayte; a fine porker he is too. I'll sind ye up a bit
whin we kill, an' ye shall tasthe for yerself."

"Thank you kindly, Tim. It's not often we can afford to indulge in a bit
of bacon now. Times are so hard, you see," returned Mrs. Jarvis, with a
look of still deeper perplexity upon her face as she rose to go.

Tim whispered to his wife who nodded, and then turned to Mrs. Jarvis,
saying:

"Now, don't ye be thrudgin' up wid yer husban's bit uv dinner. My Tim'll
bring him home, an' he's kindly wilcome to the bist of our purvidin'."

Mrs. Jarvis was certainly weak and unnerved, for she fell back into her
seat and began to sob.

"Whist, now, did ye think we mane to pisin yer good man?" said Tim,
cheerily.

"No, no, indeed; but I don't know what to make of such kindness. It's
nothing but cross words and scowling looks I ever get."

Tim sat down with a determined air.

"Jist dhry yer eyes, me dear, and listhen to me; bekase I mane it all
for